Castelsardo is northern Sardinia's most spectacular fortified town, perched on a headland over the Gulf of Asinara. The Doria founded it in 1102 as Castelgenovese; it became Castelaragonese under the Catalans and took its present name under the House of Savoy. The old town, enclosed by walls and Spanish bastions, is a web of alleys and steps climbing to the castle, which houses the Museum of Weaving, devoted to the dwarf-palm baskets the local women still make in the street. The cathedral of Sant'Antonio Abate above the sea holds works by the Master of Castelsardo, and outside town stands the Elephant Rock, a trachyte boulder with tombs carved inside. On Holy Monday the Lunissanti procession fills the town with the brotherhoods' chants.
What to see
- Castello dei Doria e Museo dell'intreccio
- Cathedral of Sant'Antonio Abate
- Old town e bastioni
- Roccia dell'Elefante
- Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie
Festivals and traditions
- Lunissanti, il Lunedì SantoHoly Week
Festival features
Nearby towns
- Tergu · 6 km
- Valledoria · 9 km
- Sedini · 11 km
- Bulzi · 12 km
- Santa Maria Coghinas · 13 km
- Laerru · 15 km
- Badesi · 15 km
- Viddalba · 15 km
Sources: Grande Enciclopedia della Sardegna; ISTAT. Original texts by Gotosardinia.
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